After news came down on Thursday that Masahiro Tanaka had a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow, the New York Yankees' season descended from farce to something more resembling a Greek tragedy.
The prospects for the Yankees this season were not great to begin with. They came into 2014 with an old, expensive squad and many questions about their pitching rotation – not to mention the still-lingering miasma of the Alex Rodriguez affair. That they are even a semi-serious contender for the post-season is a testament to both their tenacity and the mediocrity that dominates the American League East.
Tanaka has been his team's guiding light so far; the Yankees are 13-5 when he pitches and 33-40 when he does not. The loss of CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda to long-term injuries put massive pressure on Tanaka and Hiroki Kuroda, a No 4 or 5 starter elevated to front-line status by circumstance, to carry the rotation.
The Yankees say Tanaka will receive injections of platelet-rich plasma in an attempt to rehabilitate his elbow, but if that fails, reconstructive surgery could be necessary. At best, Tanaka will be out for six weeks. At worst, Tommy John surgery would put him out for the rest of this season and most or all of 2015.
Whether or not people want to weep for the Yankees, the league is poorer for Tanaka’s absence. He has been a sensation since arriving stateside and a welcome reminder that Asia can still produce top-line baseball talent.
pfreelend@thenational.ae
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